A Princeton student has figured out a formula to determine what gets a story chosen to be published in the New Yorker magazine. She “read 442 stories printed in The New Yorker from Oct. 5, 1992, to Sept. 17, 2001, and built a substantial database. She then constructed a series of rococo mathematical tests to discern, among other things, whether certain fiction editors at the magazine had a specific impact on the type of fiction that was published, the sex of authors and the race of characters. The study was long on statistics and short on epiphanies: one main conclusion was that male editors generally publish male authors who write about male characters who are supported by female characters.”
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Public Show – Collectors On Parade
Many collectors buy art and horde it away in storage. But more and more high-end contemporary art collectors are following the example of Charles Saatchi and putting their art on public display.
Protests Over Art Donation
“German collector Friedrich Christian Flick (grandson of a Nazi-era arms-maker) has offered his collection of modern art to a Berlin museum. But Jewish groups in Germany say the exhibit is based on blood money and should be refused.”
Split Shift – Levine Prepares For Boston
James Levine’s job at the Metropolitan Opera will change as he head to Boston. “What is the prognosis now that he is about to take over the music directorship of the Boston Symphony Orchestra? His title at the Met is being notched down from artistic director to music director, an acknowledgment that he will be away in Boston too much (12 weeks of concerts in addition to tours) to maintain the involvement he has had at the Met for more than 30 years. At the least, he will be less present to press for his vision with the executive committee of the board.”
San Jose Orchestra Looks Forward To New Hall
Symphony Silicon Valley is two years old. This fall the orchestra moves into a newly renovated theatre in San Jose, armed with high hopes the building will add excitement. “The new orchestra is fighting to establish a persona and an audience, trying to stay within budget and to keep its musicians working. With so few performances its first two seasons, it’s stressful. ‘It feels like we’re starting from scratch each time’.”
Art Gallery Of Ontario – On The Comeback?
The Art Gallery of Ontario has had a terrible year. But. “Suddenly following a year of one horror story after another, beginning with falling attendance and budget cuts, good news bulletins have been emerging from the Grange with startling regularity.”
AGO Remakes Gehry Design
“The Art Gallery of Ontario has released details of architect Frank Gehry’s modifications and refinements in his design for the gallery’s $195 million makeover.”
Libeskind – Fighting Over WTC Pay
“Daniel Libeskind, the master planner for the World Trade Center site, and Larry A. Silverstein, the commercial leaseholder, are fighting over how much Mr. Libeskind should be paid for his work on the 1,776-foot Freedom Tower.”
Rankin: Why Abandon Scottish Opera?
Author Ian Rankin unleashed an attack on the Scottish government for leaving the fate of Scottish Opera in question. “The Inspector Rebus novelist warned that the Executive had failed to answer crucial questions over the future of the beleaguered company, which this week faces the prospect of being forced to ‘downsize’ in order to meet ministerial budgets.”
SF Gallery Owner Gets Black Eye Over Painting
“After displaying a painting of U.S. soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners, a San Francisco gallery owner bears a painful reminder of the nations unresolved anguish over the incidents at Abu Ghraib – a black eye and bloodied brow delivered by an unknown assailant who apparently objected to the art work.”